(123) Portsoy-Strathmarchin Bay Ramble (Aberdeenshire)

Route Summary
This is a gentle coastal walk, mostly on clear grassy paths. There are good viewpoints, walking to and from the attractive and isolated beach at Strathmarchin Bay. Returning to Portsoy we take a detour to the pretty park at Loch Soy before exploring the charming old harbour area.

Duration: 3 hours.

Route Overview
Duration: 3 hours.
Transport/Parking: Stagecoach run frequent bus services that pass through Portsoy. Check timetables. There are parking spaces at various points on Links Road near to the walk start/finish point.
Length: 7.110 km / 4.44 mi
Height Gain: 176 meter.
Height Loss: 176 meter.
Max Height: 64 meter.
Min Height: 3 meter.
Surface: Moderate. Mostly on grassy paths and tracks. Section in Portsoy mostly on paved surfaces. Not suitable for off-road mobility scooters due to sections where, although well-defined, the paths are narrow, steep and rocky.
Difficulty: Easy.
Child Friendly: Yes, if children are used to walks of this distance and overall ascent.
Dog Friendly: Yes, keep dogs on lead near to farm animals.
Refreshments: Options in Portsoy.

Description
This is an excellent short coastal walk to a delightful and secluded sandy beach 2.5 km east of Portsoy. From King’s Head point, nearby, there are fine views east along the coast towards Troup Head. On the return route, at the old Coastguard Viewpoint there are also superb views west, and back down towards the large coastal village of Portsoy. In the final sections, the route takes in the pretty artificial lake, Loch Soy, in the centre of Portsoy, and the picturesque and charming old harbour area. The burgh was established by Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1550, and the first harbour was built at that time. Today, many old buildings, dating back to the end of the 1600s or early 1700s, survive to enhance the surroundings of the Old Harbour. The route starts and finishes at the Salmon Bothy museum. The salmon house building was purpose built in 1834 by the Seafield Estate, which then owned the salmon fishing rights along the coast. This former working salmon fishing house has been sensitively restored and showcases displays and information about Portsoy, its industries and trade over the centuries, and its harbours and the salmon fishing operations. For more information and opening times see: https://salmonbothy.org/museum/